Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

A 17-year-old burned a mobile classroom and caused major disruption to a very successful educational programme. Should we focus on his past, or on his future?
These are some of the facts: 1) he had been drinking (bourbon and wine); 2) he wanted to kill himself; 3) he had a troubled psychological history; 4) he called in the fire and identified himself to police; 5) he faces a lengthy jail sentence and reparations. Whoever sold or gave him that alcohol shares liability. He was alone and suicidal, and nobody noticed (or cared). Yet he was seriously troubled, and somebody knew about that.